Police probe deaths of twin brothers whose ventilators shut down

The deaths of twin 22-year-old brothers whose ventilators shut down in the Northern California town of Valley Springs is being investigated by authorities.

Meanwhile, neighbors were distraught over the deaths and seeking answers.

“It could be medical … possible homicide. It can go in any direction. We’re just not far along at this point and time to make any good determinations,” Calaveras County Sheriff Gary Kuntz said.

The brothers, Ryan and Joshua Hall, had muscular dystrophy and were dependent on the breathing ventilators for life support, Fox 40 reported. On Tuesday night, a widespread power outage hit the area, prompting their mother to call authorities for help.

When sheriff's deputies arrived, they found the brothers in distress and immediately administered CPR, but the brothers eventually died.

"They had backup systems that didn't work, so it looks like there may have been a failure of equipment there," neighbor Steven St. Sure told Fox 40. "I mean, power outages are always a possibility, especially up here."

The deaths of the brothers saddened neighbors in the small town east of Stockton.